Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour has become the center of public attention after rapper Macklemore was removed from the lineup following pro-Palestinian comments made during performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Macklemore had spoken out about the situation in Palestine while performing at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he called for a free Palestine. Sheeran stated that it wasn’t his decision to remove Macklemore from the tour and emphasized that he does not use his platform for political purposes. He explained that his goal is to keep his concerts a safe space where people can come to enjoy music without being drawn into political debates. Messina Touring Group said it had been told by venues on upcoming U.S. dates that they would not allow concerts to take place with Macklemore on the lineup.
Despite this stance, the removal of Macklemore led other support acts on the tour to also leave in protest, according to Consequence. The situation has drawn criticism from fans and public figures who argue that Sheeran’s apolitical approach is not neutral in a time of global conflict, according to a report from The Guardian. Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe withdrew from planned opening slots while Irish band Beoga also left its role performing with Sheeran. The Associated Press reported that the withdrawals were announced within roughly an hour of one another on Tuesday.
One of the acts was Irish songwriter Aaron Rowe, who had been scheduled to open the 10 remaining North American dates. Rowe expressed gratitude for the chance to perform but also highlighted how Irish people understand the gravity of genocide and occupation. Rowe said Sheeran had been a friend to him and had changed his life before explaining why he felt he had to leave the tour. Beoga also said it valued its long friendship with Sheeran while standing by its decision to withdraw.
Sheeran’s argument that concerts can offer a break from politics received support from British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy commented on the issue, acknowledging that many people simply want to enjoy music without political interruptions. However, others like Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez argue that the actions of a few stadium owners can silence important conversations about global crises such as the situation in Gaza. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Gillette Stadium opposed Macklemore's appearance because of his recent comments and what Kraft described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
All of Sheeran's previously scheduled opening acts withdrew from the remaining U.S. dates following Macklemore's removal. The situation has led to a new development as Guitar Center launched an open contest inviting unknown artists to apply for a chance to open for Sheeran. The Open for Legends contest began accepting entries on September 14, the same day Macklemore's removal from the tour was announced. Entertainment Weekly reported that the contest site was soon flooded with memes and pro-Palestinian messages criticizing Sheeran. The winner is expected to open for Sheeran at his December 11 concert in Mexico City.
Sheeran’s statement also emphasized his commitment to not abandoning the touring crew or other musicians who depend on him for work. Macklemore performed his protest song Hind’s Hall, which supports pro-Palestinian campus protests and criticizes U.S. support for Israel and Israel's conduct in Gaza. The track is named after Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl who died during Israeli military operations. The song's title refers to Columbia University protesters renaming Hamilton Hall in Rajab's honor during demonstrations in 2024.
Despite the backlash, Sheeran and others continue to argue that music should remain separate from political discourse. Critics including Ocasio-Cortez and several former support acts argue that the dispute raises broader questions about whether venue owners can limit political speech by performers. On September 16, Macklemore announced that he would donate $1 million in net earnings from the tour to organizations providing aid to Palestinians. Kraft later said Sheeran had asked him to commit $2 million toward humanitarian aid in the region and a spokesperson confirmed Kraft would provide matching funds. The tour is scheduled to resume September 19 in Philadelphia. As the tour continues, it remains uncertain how Sheeran’s situation will evolve and whether the new support acts will be able to fill the void left by those who withdrew.